They were all kinda "meh", just headsets. Not really comfortable on my head after hours of gaming.. the microphones were just "ok". Not amazing.
Steelseries 5H-V2 came close as a favourite headset but that vanished after I experienced the "Sennheiser PC 350 Gaming Headset".

It has been my favourite for over two years now. I've bought two of em as I accidentally killed my first one (thanks to my dog). Christal clear microphone and you can wear it for hours on your head without it being annoying. Noise cancellation is awesome and it really shuts down environment sounds incase you're going to lan.

Comfiest headphones I've ever owned, really good sound quality and a nice long lead. They're only around £15 in the UK, so I'm assuming relatively as cheap in whichever country you are posting from. really sturdy too!

I recently bought http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser...-gaming_504120 and I must say they are brilliant in every way They offered me way more than I could have hoped for with that price tag. The mic shuts out pretty much all noise, even when my baby girl is crying 2meters away from me according to those I play with

I don´t know what the price is in dollars as everything is a bit more expensive here in Denmark, but it should match your wallet

Great timing! I just logged on to research and ask this same question.

I am most interested in the comfort. I had used a headset playing wow for 5 years, I wore it with only one side on, dj style I guess.. so I could still hear what was going on around me.

Well I always wore it on the same side and that ear developed a very mild (not noticeable to anyone but me) case of cauliflower ear. Just some strengthened enlarged ares of cartilage. I do not want it to get any worse obviously, I may wear my new headphones on the other side this time, but still I don't want it ever being a problem again....

so comfort 1st. If they have a strong frame that holds them tightly against your head this is probably not comfortable on your ear, you're essentially smashing your ears with some of those full size monsters that don't actually fit around the outside of your ear.

Great timing! I just logged on to research and ask this same question.

I am most interested in the comfort. I had used a headset playing wow for 5 years, I wore it with only one side on, dj style I guess.. so I could still hear what was going on around me.

Well I always wore it on the same side and that ear developed a very mild (not noticeable to anyone but me) case of cauliflower ear. Just some strengthened enlarged ares of cartilage. I do not want it to get any worse obviously, I may wear my new headphones on the other side this time, but still I don't want it ever being a problem again....

so comfort 1st. If they have a strong frame that holds them tightly against your head this is probably not comfortable on your ear, you're essentially smashing your ears with some of those full size monsters that don't actually fit around the outside of your ear.

Great timing! I just logged on to research and ask this same question.

I am most interested in the comfort. I had used a headset playing wow for 5 years, I wore it with only one side on, dj style I guess.. so I could still hear what was going on around me.

Well I always wore it on the same side and that ear developed a very mild (not noticeable to anyone but me) case of cauliflower ear. Just some strengthened enlarged ares of cartilage. I do not want it to get any worse obviously, I may wear my new headphones on the other side this time, but still I don't want it ever being a problem again....

so comfort 1st. If they have a strong frame that holds them tightly against your head this is probably not comfortable on your ear, you're essentially smashing your ears with some of those full size monsters that don't actually fit around the outside of your ear.

Exactly. Comfort is #1. Hence I recommended my headset, Sennheiser PC350. I have quite big ears... so all the other "cheaper" headsets really hurt alot after a few hours of gaming. this one... i seriously never have issues with even if i game for an entire day. Even forgot i was wearing it at times lol.

comfort is pretty much great in ALL circumaural headphones. It's only lacking in the ones that arent meant for hifi, but rather made for gaming. Also, do note, that when people recommend you something like the sennheiser 201, they only do it because it's the best they have personally used, not because it's an universal great. I really suggest getting the samsons/superluxes with some velour earpads to match. if not, i would have to point you in the general direction of headfi, you'll get much more information there then here, anyways..

Exactly. Comfort is #1. Hence I recommended my headset, Sennheiser PC350. I have quite big ears... so all the other "cheaper" headsets really hurt alot after a few hours of gaming. this one... i seriously never have issues with even if i game for an entire day. Even forgot i was wearing it at times lol.

Excellent. So they fit all the way around the outside of your ear rather than resting on them?

Sounds like they're good quality too as far as noise cancelation on the mic. I love getting the perspective from people who have tried a bunch of products.. and it sounds like you've tried a bunch.

thanks! I'll move those to the top of my list and do a little more research before I decided anything else you can say about this set? how soft/firm is that pad around your ear? sound quality etc?

@ Keller. thanks for the Headfi info, I've never heard of that site, I'll check it out.

Excellent. So they fit all the way around the outside of your ear rather than resting on them?

Sounds like they're good quality too as far as noise cancelation on the mic. I love getting the perspective from people who have tried a bunch of products.. and it sounds like you've tried a bunch.

thanks! I'll move those to the top of my list and do a little more research before I decided anything else you can say about this set? how soft/firm is that pad around your ear? sound quality etc?

@ Keller. thanks for the Headfi info, I've never heard of that site, I'll check it out.

Sennheiser is a premium brand in the audio world specialised in producing headsets with outstanding audio quality. I'm sure this fact alone should make you excited about the quality that this product can deliver.

The pad is not resting on my ear its actually resting all over it. Completely covering my ears. The pads are made from fake leather filled with a soft foam cushion. Its very comfy

I have horrible luck with breaking headphones so I have to take durability into consideration. Before I got my current headphones I would always end up broken headphones every 2-3 months. I've had these headphones for the last 5 years now with no problems:

I just thought I'd add some info I found on the Sennheiser PC350. I guess it takes a bit of power to power these headphones and that they will sound terrible if you don't use an aftermarket sound card.

so I'm going to add a sound card to my build... but I think I will be going with the Sennheiser PC360, I like the idea of the open air design, so you can hear yourself talking and a bit of what's going on around you. I assume the open air design will also reduce sweating.

so regarding sound cards... do you guys think a Creative Labs SB X-Fi Xtreme is enough? Or should I go with something like a Asus Xonar D1 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz?

I just thought I'd add some info I found on the Sennheiser PC350. I guess it takes a bit of power to power these headphones and that they will sound terrible if you don't use an aftermarket sound card.

so I'm going to add a sound card to my build... but I think I will be going with the Sennheiser PC360, I like the idea of the open air design, so you can hear yourself talking and a bit of what's going on around you. I assume the open air design will also reduce sweating.

so regarding sound cards... do you guys think a Creative Labs SB X-Fi Xtreme is enough? Or should I go with something like a Asus Xonar D1 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz?

thanks!

Hey Pwnyboy. I'm very happy that you've made your choice. The 360 is a sweet design for sure.

A soundcard is now a luxury product and not neccessary. The latest motherboards can handle sound like no other before.
It can and wil however impact your audio experience if you do choose to take one in your build

I picked up a pair of the Turtle Beach Ear Force X12's a couple of months ago and I've enjoyed them. They're comfortable, the sound quality is good (in my opinion at least), and they have the option of connecting to a console, if you have one, for audio and chat.